Volunteer opportunities
Get involved! For more opportunities, see the Volunteer Center Web site, www.volunteerinfo.net.
You can make a difference and help the community in which you live and work. The Volunteer Center has hundreds of opportunities; listed here is a sampling. Call the Center's Agency/School Volunteer Program at (847) 228-1320 or if your are age 55 or over, call Retired Senior Volunteer Program at (847) 228-1006. The code at the end of each item is used to match volunteers with agencies; have the code ready when you call.
Holiday volunteers
bull; Holiday volunteer opportunities are abundant for both individuals and groups. Some are listed below. Call The Volunteer Center at (847) 228-1320 for details (24-hour voice mail). For a complete listing, visit www.volunteerinfo.net.
Holiday parties
bull; Two or three volunteers are needed to help with area nursing home resident holiday parties from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 11, 14, 20 and 21; two helpers needed to deliver gifts with Santa Dec. 21 at 9 a.m. Santa costume provided. Ring in the New Year and celebrate with the residents from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. A44 #1298
bull; Five volunteers, 16 years and older, needed to assist with set up, serving and clean up at an area senior center from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 12. A106 #2034
bull; Residential facility for adults with disabilities needs help on Christmas Day from 9:30 a.m. to noon, to help clients open gifts and help with clean up of wrapping paper, etc. Twelve or 13 volunteers, 15 years and under with an adult will also be needed. A20 #1302
bull; Help serve food at an area nursing home's Christmas parties from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 11, 14 or 18. Santa Claus, who has a suit, is needed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 11, 14 or 18 to help deliver presents. Two Santas are also needed from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 20. A01 #1295
Adopt-a-family/ individual
bull; Reward students when they reach their academic goals with gift certificates, in $5 to $20 denominations, for an area tutoring program for low-income families. Suggestions are gift certificates to Wal-Mart, Target, Meijer's or K-Mart. A103 # 2043
bull; An area township is in need of individuals to adopt one or three families, please call for wish list. Also looking for gift certificates from Kohl's, Target, Wal-Mart, Jewel, Dominick's or Aldi in denominations of $10. Deadline is Dec. 14. A55 #2051
bull; Join the Holiday Assistance Program by sponsoring an individual or family, by providing items from their wish list. Call for details. Deadline, Dec. 14. General new donations for any age/size/gender and gift certificates to major grocery stores, Target, Wal-Mart, Kohl's in $10 denominations will also be accepted by Dec. 14. A70 #1330
bull; Residential facility for adults with disabilities is in need of gift certificates to Target, Wal-Mart, Meijer's, Old Country Buffet, McDonald's, Dunkin Donuts, etc. for the holiday season, deadline date is Dec. 14. A20 #1846
bull; Adopt-a-family/child from area women's homeless shelter. Specific wish lists are available. Gifts to be unwrapped. Infant items, such as, diapers (all sizes), wipes, Desitin, pacifiers, teething rings, baby powder, shampoo, etc are also needed. Gift certificates to Dominick's, Jewel, Target, Walgreens, Jiffy Lube, bus/train passes, Lane Bryant, Sears, Menard's, Gasoline gift cards, Home Depot, Costco, etc. Non-perishable foods, paper products, deodorant, cleaning products, soaps, board games, Barbie dolls, Early Learning toys, crafts, etc. Deadline, Dec 14. A71 #1349
bull; Join the "Mitten Tree Project" during the holiday season for the Human Services Division of the city of Des Plaines. Collect new hats, gloves, mittens and scarves for children and adults who are in need. A19 #1353
bull; Area nursing home in need of personal gift items for residents, stationary, cards, CDs, stamps, socks for men and women, toiletries, small stuffed animals, small picture frames, lap blankets, facial tissue, etc. Deadline date is Dec. 14th. A44 #1340
bull; Counseling center for pregnant women in need of winter coats (gently used is great), sizes infant through size 6x, diapers, size 1 to 5, Simalac with Iron Advance, baby food -- all stages, baby wipes, new newborn baby clothes, gift certificates, to Jewel or Dominick's ($10 denominations). A97 #1343
bull; Brighten the lives of area disabled by donating holiday gifts, such as, electric toothbrushes, electric shavers, baby wipes, CDs or animated videos, gloves, scarves, toiletries, sweat suits (adult M-XL), slippers, hats, socks, games, puzzles, colored pencils, or jewelry kits. Gift certificates to magazines, Wal-Mart, Target, McDonald's, theaters, Baskin-Robbins, Toys-R-Us, etc. Dec. 14 deadline. A20 #1351
bull; Help fill the wish list of the 21 area homeless shelters. Gift certificates to your fast food restaurants, major grocery stores, gas cards, Wal-Mart, Target, Kohl's, Meijer's, etc in $5 or $10 denominations. Men's and women's underwear, socks, thermal underwear, boots, gloves of all sizes. Deadline is Dec. 14 A54 #1611
bull; Social service organization is in need of gift certificates to Jewel, Dominick's, Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, gas cards, etc for needy children and their families. Deadline is Dec. 14. A39 #1613
bull; Become a companion, during the holidays, to men who are developmentally disabled. Spend time doing social activities: watch movies, play pool or go out to eat. Flexible hours, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday for approximately three to four hours. A79 #1344
bull; A community action agency in need of gift certificates to Wal-Mart, Target, gas cards, etc. in small denominations. Specific wish lists are also available if interested in adopting a family, call for details. Deadline Dec. 14. A12 #1874
Food donations
bull; Looking for a wonderful and easy way to make a difference this holiday season? "Donate a Dinner" by making a contribution of a turkey meal with or without all the trimmings to help provide a Christmas meal for homebound people with developmental disabilities. Various locations throughout the North Shore suburbs. A25 #2029
bull; The gifts are wrapped, the room aglow with twinkling lights, but where's the delicious holiday meal? You can complete the celebration for people with disabilities, working in vocational programs, by supplying the food and helping them cook for their annual holiday party. Various dates in December. A25 #2030
bull; All types of canned goods, nonperishable items such as pretzels, raisins, peanuts, Pop Tarts in easy-to-go packages for area homeless shelters. Deadline is Dec. 14. A54 #2032
bull; Canned goods of all types, cereals, pasta sauce, PBJ flour and yeast, etc for community action agency. Deadline, Dec. 14. A12 #1333
bull; Counseling center for pregnant women in need of large amounts of pop for holiday party. Also needed are baby food -- all stages and Simalac with iron. A97 #1311
bull; Local Township Food Pantry needs holiday food items, canned goods, tuna, soup, cereals, personal hygiene items, etc. Any donation is welcome and appreciated. A62 #2052
Holiday party supplies/decorations/ wrapping supplies/ crafts
bull; Residential facility for adults with disabilities in need of holiday stickers for windows that come off easily and all types of musical CDs. Deadline, Dec 14. A20 #1845
bull; Donations of wrapping paper, gift bags (various sizes), gift tags, tissue paper, bows and tape are needed for transitional shelter for homeless women their children. Supplies needed for until Dec. 21. A71 #1312
bull; Christmas-theme supplies are needed for area nursing home. Paper plates, napkins and plastic cups for 200 are needed. A01 #1839
bull; Group homes for abused and neglected children are in need of three artificial Christmas trees. No larger than 7#189; feet tall. A63 # 2056
Other holiday activities
bull; Are you available to assist with transportation for seniors in the Barrington area? Drive to doctor's appointments, shopping, hairdresser, visiting, etc. during the holidays. Valid driver's license and proof of auto insurance needed. A08 #2039
bull; Wonderland of Lights, 5 to 9 p.m., Sunday-Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday, until Jan. 1, 2008. Help needed at heated admissions booth, two volunteers per night, 16 years and older, featuring a 1.6 mile spectacular holiday display of lights and animated scenes, a family event. This event is sponsored by a residential facility for adults with disabilities. A20 #1591
Friendly visitors/ entertainment
bull; Ongoing need for volunteers to friendly visit with seniors for agency serving the elderly and disabled. Help provide companionship and conversation during the holidays and throughout the year. Volunteers under age 18 must be with an adult. A14 #2038
bull; A group of three to six carolers needed at a residential facility for adults with disabilities on Christmas Eve from 1 to 2 p.m. or 2 to 3 p.m. A20 #1844
bull; Christmas carolers or musicians, small group or individuals, are invited to perform at an area nursing home between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., in December. Friendly visitors, including children of all ages, are also welcome anytime during the holidays. A01 #1632
bull; Face painter needed for children's party from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 15 in Arlington Heights for counseling center serving pregnant women and needy families. Painting supplies will be provided. A97 1300
bull; Christmas carolers, dancers and Spanish musicians are invited to an area Township Senior Center's party from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 19. Entertain for 15 minutes to an hour. A55 #2051
Wrap/deliver gifts
bull; Be on call and help deliver gifts to clients' homes in Park Ridge, Niles and Des Plaines area for agency serving the elderly and disabled during Thanksgiving and/or Christmas season. Volunteers under age 18 must be with an adult. A14 #1638
bull; Wrap and deliver gifts for transitional shelter for homeless women and their children until Dec. 21. Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wrapping takes place in Schaumburg and will need 10 volunteers, 12 years and older, per day. A71 #1317